Writer, Speaker, Editor, Blogger
I’ve been thinking about my dad a lot this week. September 11 marks 33 years since his death. None of us expected him to die at age 72, but cancer robbed him of more years on earth. No matter what age or stage of life you’re in, when a parent dies, it changes how you […]
Long, long ago, in a faraway land, a baby was born. This is how fairy tales begin, but the story of Jesus’s birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection is not a fairy tale dreamed up in someone’s imagination; it is a true story, the greatest story ever told. At the beginning of this year, my […]
Last weekend, I sang in our choir Christmas presentation. Unless you are a singer, I’m not sure you can fully understand the joy it brings to stand side-by-side with others who are singing. A camaraderie exists in blending voices and finally “getting” difficult passages. While the audience hears seemingly effortless, beautiful music, only vocalists know […]
Years ago, when I was leading a girls’ discipleship group, we completed a spiritual gifts survey for each person in the group. I was surprised to see the results. Many of the girls scored me high on the gift of hospitality. I never considered hospitality one of my gifts, but then I realized hosting these […]
Last week, we shared days of family time. As expected, all was not perfect—some bumps and scrapes, tears, mornings that started earlier than weary parents wanted them to—yet plenty of moments to treasure. Family is a gift we often take for granted. Following are thoughts on cherishing the gift of family: Ties That Bind As […]
Every time I attend, or teach, at a writing conference, I am reminded of the power of community. The interaction, learning, camaraderie, encouragement, and support inspire and propel forward motion. But community isn’t limited to writers. Faith-based, creative, work-related, local, regional, and family-oriented communities enrich our lives. Following are some of the gifts of […]
Last year, my daughter experienced a sudden, critical health crisis. Despite rapid treatment, a significant vision deficit resulted. Over the next weeks and months, she navigated limitations and learned ways around them. In the process, other senses sharpened and she cultivated reliance on multiple stimuli for compensation and perception. Following are some insights regarding vision: […]